Joanna’s mum, Les, was rushed to hospital when she was seven months pregnant with her. Despite the family being told to expect the worst, she went on to make a good recovery, and both mother and daughter are still going strong 47 years later. Joanna shares their story here.
“The reason I am writing this is that I survived too when my Mum was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in January 1979, whilst she was seven months pregnant with me.
“Mum had a rash, severe headaches and vomiting. My Dad found my mum unconscious in bed and called the doctor. She was taken to the hospital and was in a coma for 10 days, and after that, was on a drip in hospital in isolation.
Save the baby; lose your wife
“They told my Dad that they could save the baby, but prepare to lose your wife. The street where they lived all had to be vaccinated and everyone had to gown up to visit my Mum.
“Miraculously, Mum and I survived. Mum is convinced it may have something to do with being pregnant! Who knows!
“Mum had no after-effects and made a full recovery. She is still going strong at age 78.
Amazes me Mum pulled through
“After hearing all the horrific and sad stories recently, it still amazes me that my Mum pulled through. I just thought I would share a positive outcome story.
“Meningitis doesn’t impact our family life now, but life could have been very different for my Dad and brother, who was 1 at the time, if anything had happened to us.”
